Automatic casting machine



y 9, 2 4.1:. WILLARD 1.720.357-

Amon'nc CASTING MACHINE Filed Nov. 1, 192$ 10 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jar/c7125. v4 mam July 9, 1929.

A. R. WILLARD AU'I'OIATIC CASTING MACHINE rifl a Nov. 1, 1926 10 SheetsSh eqt 2- July 9, 1929. WILLARD 1.720.357

AUTOMATIC CASTING IACHINE I Filed Nov. 1, 1926 10 Sheets-Sheet 3 July 9, 1929.

A. R. WILLARD momw CASTING MACHINE Filed m. 1, 1926 l0 Sheets-Sheet Q,

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AUTOMATIC CASTING MACHINE Filed Nov. 1, 1926 10 Sheets-Sheet s 1 1 I l I 1 L (7 7" 51067112211 l0 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Nov. 1, 1926 July 9, 1929. A. R. WILLARD AUTOMATIC CASTING MACHINE Filed Nov. 1, 1936 10 Sheets-Sheet '71 W W290 A. R. WILLARD 1.720.357

AUTOMATIC CASTING MACHINE Filed! NOV. 1, 1926 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 y 1929- A. R. WILLARD 1.720.357

AUTOMATIC CASTING MACHINE Filed Nov. 1, 1926 10 Sheets-Sheet 9 July 1929. A. R. WILLARD 1.720.357

AUTOMATIC CASTING MACHINE Filed Nov. 1,,"1926 10 Sheets-Sheet 10 l atented duly 1.1:;

ALFRED lit, WIJLL'JD, OF EAST CLEVELAND, UJHIU, AEiSJEGt-NUR "3E0 WILLARD tlfllflhtdtithl IBBATJEJERY CQEMPANY, 01E GLEVIELD, UHIU, .llt GURFUEAVJNEUN Ulll Etl'l Wllllltiilll'lilllld.

MUTQMMTIC CASTING MACHINE.

Application filed November 1, 19536. aerial lilo; lath Md.

This invention relates to an automatic casting machine, my invention having particular More particularly, it is the aim of the in-- vention to reduce the cost of making castings, such as grids, not only by eliminating much hand labor but by increasing the speed 01 production, and also to obtain better and more satisfactory grids by obtaining more uniform results than is possible with manually opeiated molds, my improved machine producing grids with rapidity, with a lower temperature of the molten metal which in itself results in tougher and firmer gridsgand with constant uniformity in the amounts and temperature of molten metal poured in the difterentmolding operations and in the uniform cooling of the molds immediately following each'pouring operation.

lln a machine constructed in accordance with the present invention, two molds are I preferably employed, consisting of two adjato the invention, however, that a double mold cent stationary mold members and two movable mold members which are simultaneously shitted,one to closed position and the other to open position. I do not regard it essential be employed although that is-preferred for the sake of speed in production. Additionally, a tiltable ladle is provided above the molds and beneath a valve controlled pipe supplying the molten metal, the ladle receiving a charge of moten metal when in its middle position and alternately tilting in oppo-.

site directions to pour the metal into the two molds, further automatically controlled pipes for supplying water to cool the molds and cast grids, and automatically controlled ejectors. preferably pneumatically operated. are provided in the parts of the mold to eject the grid as soon as the mold is opened. Automatically operated means is provided torreceiving the cast grid when ejected and for deliveringit Without deformation to a conveyor leading to an automatic stacker.

The parts are so arranged and timed that when one mold is being opened the other is being closed, and While one grid is bein eJected from the mold being opened the ladle is tilted to pour molten metal into the closed mold, after which the ladle is restored to its middle position to receive a measured quan tity of the molten metal trom a pipe leading from the melting pot and equipped With the automatically controlled valve, and as soon as the pouring is completed a measured quam 4 tity of Water is delivered onto the pouring gate so asto quickly chill the grid and permit the mold to be opened and the grid to he e ected by the automatically operated, ejectors. These parts all operate in predetermined relation With respect to each other and to a grid lowering devicewhich svvings up in time'to receive a grid as it leaves a mold, lowers it onto a conveyor leading to the stacker and again swings up to receive the grid as it is ejected from the other mold. This movable device may be aptly termed a lovverator by which term it is hereinafter referred to. All these parts are contained in a machine of comparatively small compass and are preterably operated from a single source of power.

In the accompanying sheets of drawings wherein l have shown the pi'eiterred embodiment of the invention, Fig. l is a side elevation of the machine, omitting some of the parts such as piping and omitting from the top the valve and piping for controlling the molten metal; Fig. 2 is a similar View looking toward the opposite side of the machine; Fig. 3 is an endview looking toward the right hand end of Fig. 2; Fig. 4.- is a central vertical sectional view, showing in position the molten metal valve omitted from the preceding tigures; F ig. 5 is a top plan view of the mechallll till;

nisni forcontrolling the flow of molten metal into the ladle; Fig. 6 is a side view of the same partly in section; Fig. 7 is an end view at the same; Fig. 8 is a sectional view through the tilting ladle; Figs. 9, 10 and 11 are views partly diagrammatic and indicating sepathe ladle; the mechanism of Fig. 10 control- 7 ling the operation of a lowerator which lowers the cast grid as it is ejected from either of the molds to a travelling conveyor beneath, and the mechanism of Fig. 11 being used in tilting the ladle; Fig. 12 is a detail plan view of certain pats shown in Fig. 11; Fig. 13 is a view showing the lowerator and the operating mechanism therefor illustrated in Fig. 10,

. this View showing by full lines the lowerator in its uppermost position as it receives the grid discharged from one of the molds and showing by dotted lines its position and the position of the various parts of the operating 'mechanism as the grid is received on the conveyor; Fig. 14 is a view of the operating mechanism for the stacker, this view being of the type or character of Figs. 9, 10 and 11; Fig. 15 is a vertical sectional view taken through the two molds, one mold being closed View and aside view of part of the mechanism for operating the valve controlhn g the molten metal, certain of the parts herein illustrated being shown in Figs. 1 and 4; and Fig. 20 is a detail transverse sectional View substantially along the line 2020 of Fig. 18, looking downward.

As previously stated, this machine is adapted particularlyfor making cast storage battery grids, and was designed for that purpose, and although the machine may be used for casting articles other than grids, for con- Veniencethe cast product will be referred to as a grid. Furthermore, while grids are usually formed of antimony lead, for convenience the molten metal will be referred to as lead.

Referring now to the drawings, the machine includes a frame 10 which in general is disposed horizontally and between the sides of which the major portion of the operating mechanism is located. At about the center of the side members of the frame, upright standards 1O are provided, and secured to these is a central mold support 11 on opposite sides of which are two molds consisting of stationary mold members 12 and two cooperating movable mold members 13 carried by swinging arms 14 pivotally supported at 15 in the standards 10% The stationary mold members 12 are vertically disposed and the movable mold members swing to and from vertical closed position in contact with the stationary mold members. The movable mold members are connected together and are operated so as to swing simultaneously, one mold opening while the other is closing. For this purpose they are connected together on opposite sides by bars 16 which pass through swivel blocks 17 on the ends of rock shafts l7 journaled in and extending across the rear sides of the movable mold members, the inner faces of the blocks being engaged by fixed abutments on the rods in the form of adjustable nuts 18, while the outer faces are engaged by springs 19 which are slightly compressed when the mold is closed. The springs 19 are very stiff, so that a heavy pressure is necessary to compress them, and this pressure holds the molds tightly closed during the pouring operation. The springs, however, will yield in the event that some hard object is inadvertently admitted to the mold. To the centers of the rods clamps 20 are secured and pivotally connected to these are operating links 21 connected to the upper ends of swinging levers 22 pivoted at 23 in the frame and carrying rollers engaging in the grooves of cam wheels 24 secured to a shaft 25 supported by the frame 10.

Pivotally supported at the top of the central mold support 11 isa tiltable ladle 26 which delivers molten metal into the two molds when they are closed, the ladle tilting first in one direction (note Figs. 1 and 2) so as to deliver molten metal into the one closed mold and then tilting in the opposite direction to deliver molten metal into the other mold immediately after it is closed. \Vhen the ladle reaches its mid or central position in moving from one tilted position to the other, it is held, stationary long enough to re ceive a measured quantity of molten metal in a manner to be explained. By reference particularly to Fig. 4, it will be seen that the ladle is supported on a pair of trunnions 27, one of which serves as an operating shaft which is connected by bevel gearing 28 to a vertical shaft 29 extending down along one side of the frame. This shaft is provided near its lower end with a short crank arm 30 linked to a slide 31 (see particularly Figs. 11 and 12) movable horizontally in a guide 32 secured to the inner side of the frame and in turn linked to the lower end of a lever 33 ear rying a roller which is engaged by a cam 34 on a main cam shaft 35 supported by the frame. As will be observed from Fig. 11, this cam has at diametrically opposite points a projection 34 and a depression or cut awayportion 34 which cause the ladle to be tilted alternately to the opposite ouring positions, the ladle being stationary between the pouring positions, at which time it is held upright. A spring 36 keeps the roller in engagement with the surface of the cam 34.

VVl1en the ladle is in its central position, it is supplied with a predetermined amount of molten metal from a short vertically disposed delivery pipe 37 (see particularly Figs,

, into the ladle is. timed and the amount of Ill) metal thus delivered is controlled by a horizontally movable valve on a stem 41 (see Fig. 6) which projects outwardly beyond the valve body through a cross-bar 42 at the ends of two parallel guide rods 48 projecting horizontally from the end. of the valve body. The stem has a threaded portion, and fitted to this is a cross-head 44 which slidingly engages the the guide rods 43 and between the cross-head 44 and the fixed cross-bar 42 is a spring 45 which normally tends to close the valve and to hold it in closed position.

As will be seen by reference to Fig. 6, the valve and stem are moved outwardly to open the valve, and this is tICCOlllPllSllGLl by a pair of small valve-operating rocker arms 46 pivotally supported by ears 4? projecting outwardly from the ends of the .valve body, the inner ends of the levers being adapted to engage the inner face of the cross-head 44. To the outer ends of the levers 46 are connected two links 48 extending back along the valve body, as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, and the inner ends of these links are connected to a pair of upstanding arms 49 on a horizontal shaft 50 hav ing a laterally projecting arm 51 connected by a link to the upper end of a vertically mova ble rod 52 which is slidingly supported by the frame of the machine, as best illustrated in Figs. 4, 18 and 19. To this rod is secured an abutment 53 over the top of which is adapted to engage the hook-shaped end of a latch 54 (see Figs. 1 and 18) which is carried by a slide 55 (Figs. 18 and 20) guided for vertical movement on the side of the frame. For the purpose of moving the slide 55, the latter has connected to it a link 56 connected to a short crank 57 on a rock shaft 58 provided on the inside of the frame with a crank arm 59 (see Fig. 9), connected by a link 60 to a lever 61 carrying a roller which is held by a spring 62 in engagementwitlrthe face of a cam 63 on cam shaft 35 previously referred to.

To open the valve, the cam 63 and the parts actuated by it pull the slide 55 and latch 54 downward and the latter, by its engagement with the block 53, lowers the rod 52. The

' cam is so shaped that it causes the valve to be opened a predetermined amount and then to be held open for a predetermined length of time. The cam then pulls the rod downward further a slight amount until a horizont-ally projecting arm of the latch strikes an adjustable set screw 64 which disengages the latch from the block 53, whereupon the rod 52 is pulled upward and the valve is quickly seated by a pair of springs 65 (Figs. 1, 18 and 19) connected at their lower ends to a cross member 66 on the rod 53 and at their upper ends to stationary points on the machine. These springs together with the spring 45 on the valve head cause the valve to be seated quickly and forcibly and effectively stops the flow of molten metal. Preferably a compression spring (35 is arranged between the abutment and a guide 65 for rod 52 to slightly cushion the upward movement of the rod but this does not interfere with the desired forceful seating of the valve. ll t might be noted that the final downward movement of the latch 54 necessary to disengage it from the block 53 is imparted by a raised portion 63 shown in Fig. 9 on cam 63.

The set screw 64 is carried by a normally stationary slide (37 movable vertically in a guideway on the frame, but this slide is adapted to be actuated by a movement of a treadle, to be referred to later, which is depressed by the operator when stopping the machine.

Reverting to the valve mechanism for controlling the flow of molten metal, it will be observed that the outer end of the valve stem 41 has a hand wheel 41. In the usual operation of the machine, this wheel is not turned but when it is desired to adjust the amount of metal discharged each time the valve 40 is opened, the operator simply has to turn the hand wheel 41. By thus turning the hand wheel and the valve stem 41 to which the hand wheel is secured, the cross-head 44 is moved in or out by reason of the fact that the center of the cross-head has threaded engagement with the stem. llf the cross-head moved inward, the movement of the valve 40 away from its seat during the operation of the machine is increased and, therefore, the amount of metal deliverel at each opening movement is increased. If the crosshead is moved outward, the valve 40 will move a less amount from its scat and, accordingly, a smaller amount of molten metal will be delivered to the ladle.

It will be observed, particularly by reference to Fig. 8, that at the center of the ladle there is a cup 26" into which the molten metal is delivered from the discharge pipe or nozzle 37, the cup being provided at the bottom with openings so that the metal may flow into the ladle proper. The purpose of the cup 26 is to prevent the molten metal splashing out of the ladle when it is delivered to the ladle from the discharge pipe 37.

The ladle. as well as the valve mechanism and some of the piping leading thereto from the melting pot, are preferably constantly heated by gas flame-s. Accordingly, beneath the ladle a burner pipe 68 is provided (see Figs. 4 and 16) and beneath the valve body 38 and associated .parts, burner pipes 69 are provided (see Fig. 4).

It might be statedin passing that I regard as an important feature the sudden and forcible closing of valve 10 through the action of springs 65 and or equivalent means when the latch 54 is disengaged from the abutment 53 on rod 52. By thus closing the valve, a tight seating thereof is obtained and the surfaces of the valve and its seat are kept practically clear of lead deposits.

Immediately after the ladle receives its charge of -'molten metal, it is tilted and this molten metal is then discharged into the pouring gate of one of the molds which is now closed. This action is.well illustrated in Fig. 15 where it will be seen that the side of the ladle is directly above'the pouring gate of the closed mold; then the ladle is tilted back to its central or upright position to receive an-' other chargeof molten metal before it is swung to deliver molten metal into the other mold. As soon as the molten metal is poured into either closed mold and immediately, after the ladle moves back from itspouring position, shown in Fig. 15, a charge of water is squirted onto the top of the mold in the vicinity of the pouring gate so as to quickly chill the now cast grid so that the mold can be immediately 7 opened and the grid discharged therefrom. Furthermore, at or aboutthe in-- stant that themold begins to open, air controlled through an automatically operated valve moves forwardly pneumatically operated ejectors which are carriedby both the movable and stationary parts of the mold so that as soon as the mold is opened a very small amount (note Fig. 13) the grid will be released so that it may drop down onto the lowerator to be explained presently.

Before describing the manner in which the water is delivered onto the molds to chill the cast grids and the way in which air is delivered behind the pistons connected to the ejectors, reference should be had to Fig. 17, illustrating in cross-section one of the two molds, the mold here illustrated being shown in closed position. 7 Both the movable and stationary parts of the mold are generally composed of a number of sections fastened in place and secured together by screws and dowel pins 71, but the construction and make-up of the faces of the two molds are not material to the present invention.- It will be observed, however, that both the stationary and movable parts of the mold are provided with a series of small air cylinders 72 containing pistons 73 to which are connected. small pin-like grid ejectors 74, which are adapted to be moved outward slightly beyond the-face of the mold when air under pressure is delivered to the rear sides of the piston 78. Each ejector is normally held in its retracted position by a spring 75 with the piston bearing against an adjustable set screw 7 6-in a plug on the rear side of the mold member. These ejectors are so ositioned that they will engage the more or less solid parts of the grids and generally each part of the mold is equipped with four of these ejectors, the positions of which are 1 indicated in Fig. 16. The several small air cylinders associated with the four ejectors are suitably connected by air passageways, indicated at 7 7 in Figs. 16 and 17.

l The major portion of the piping for delivering the water for cooling the molds and for delivering the air for operating the ejectors has been omitted and the same is true of the gas delivery piping, but it may be stated that the water and air delivery pipes or tubes extend up along one of the sides of the machine, generally along the front side, shown in Fig. 2,. so that delivery of the water and air to the molds may take place and for convenience in operating adjusting valves (not shown) in the piping. However,

in Fig. 16 the end of the pipe or nozzle for delivering water onto the pouring gate is shown at 78, it being understood that there is a similar delivery pipe for each mold, the positions of the delivery ends of the pipes being indicated in Fig. 1.

Likewise, both the stationary and movable members of the molds have attached to them air delivery pipes or tubes 79, the end of one being shown in Fig. 16. The air may be delivered to the stationary members of the mold by rigid pipes 79, the positions of whic are indicated in Fig. 2 and it is delivered to the movable members of the mold through flexible tubing, portions of whicl are indicated at '79 in Fig. 2.

The delivery of measured quantities of water onto the molds through the pipes 78 and the delivery of air through the pipes and tubes 79 to operate the ejectors is controlled by two pairs of valves, one pair controlling the delivery of water and the other pair the delivery of air. In practice, these valves are located on opposite sides of the machine, the two water valves being side by side on one side of the machine, and the two air valves being side by side on the other side. At the lower left-hand side of Fig. 1, I have shown one of the water valves at 80, andat the lower right-hand side of Fig. 2, I have shown one of the air valves at 80. These two pairs of valves are located beneath and are controlled by the two cam wheels 24 which swing the two movable mold members back and forth, as already explained. To bring about theproperly timed opening of the valves, one of the cam wheels 24 is provided on its periphery with a pair of adjustable cam lugs 81, one of which is shown in Fig. 3, these two cam lugs being oppositely disposed and arranged adjacent opposite sides of the cam wheel. Beneath the cam Wheel in position tobe engaged by the two cam lugs 81 are a pair of rollers 82 pivotally supported manner on arms 88 (see Figs. 1 and 9) directly above one of the pairs of valves so that they may depress the plungers and open the same. Similarly, the other cam wheel is equipped with a pair of oppositely disposed cam lugs 81 to engage rollers 82 to operate the other pair of valves. v

lit will be understood that one pair of peripheral cam lugs 81 alternately operate the two water valves causingmeasured quantities ofwater to be delivered onto the molds immediately after the pouring operations, and that the other pair of peripheral cam lugs 81 successively operate the two air valves, causing air under pressure to be delivered at the right instants to operate the ejectors in both parts of the molds. llt will be understood, of course, that one of the water valves controls the supply of water to one mold and the other controls the supply of water to the other mold, and that one of the air valves controls the supply of air to the pneumatic ejectors of both parts of one mold, and the other controls the ejectors in the two parts of the other mold. Likewise,

"it willbe understood that both the water and air valves are opened noton-ly at the desired times but for brief. intervals, these valves immediately closing as soon as the cam lugs termed a lowerator 85 and it is partly carried of the frame, thisconveyor carrying the grids dti lid

rearwardly to a stacker to be referred to. By the cooperation of the lowerator and curved guides, the grids are deposited gently on the conveyor chains, this being important for the reason that when the grids are eected the metal is not hard and if they were al owed to slide or fall down ontothe conveyor they would be deformed.

The guides 88 are duplicated for both molds, and it will be observed particularly by reference to" Figs? 18 and it that they are curved downwardly and rearwardly and ex tend from substantially the bottom of the molds to points near the top of the conveyor 8?, each guide consists of two'groups of guide bars or tines, the two groups of both guides being spaced apart sothat the lowerator 85 can swing up and, down between them. This is well illustrated in. Fig. 18.

The lowcrator 85- has .at the top or head spaced bars 88 on which the bottom of the grid rests immediately after it slides from themold. it being observed from the full and dotted linepositi'ons shown in Fig. 13-that the lowerator swings from a point near the bottom of the molds downwardly and rearwardly with a parallelmotion to a position just beneath the top of the conveyor 87. T have shown in this same figure a grid 89 just as it slides from the mold with its bottom edge resting on the lowerat-or, and T have shown by dotted lines the position of the grid just as it is being deposited onto the conveyor, This figure shows that while the grid is'being lowered with its bottom edge resting upon the lowerator, the top part rests upon and slides down the associated curved guide 86. The top of the lowerator is long enough to receive the" grids as they are ejected from both molds and it is timed in its movements so that it swings upwardly and in fact completes its upward swinging movements just as one of the molds opens.

The head of the lowerator is supported upon an arm 90 to which are pivotally connected two swinging arms 91 and 92 (see Figs. l9 and 13) connected to rock shafts 93 and 9t journaled in the side members of theframe. The, upper arm is simply a guide arm but the lower arm is the actuating member, these arms being parallel so that the top of the lowerator will have a parallel motion in swinging between its upper and lower posi tions.

To actuate the lowerator, the cam shaft 35 which, as already explained, carries the cams which operate the ladle and valve for controlling t-he flow of molten metal into the ladle, has secured to it a cam 95 (Fig. 10), the surface of which is engaged by a roller carried by a swinging arm 98 pivotally mounted on the frame,-the lower end of the arm being connected by a link 97 to oneend of j a double lever 98 turning loosely on shaft 58 already described in connection with the operation of the molten metal controlling valve 40. This double ended lever 98 is connected by a. link 99 to an arm 109 on rock shaft 9d to which is connected arm 92 pivotally connected to the bottom of the liOjWQll'SLfiOll. arm, as already explained. v

As'stated above, the grids when deposited on the conveyor 87 are carried rearwardly toward the stacker located near the rear end This stacker consists of aof the machine. pair ofarms 101 which swing from substantially the vertical position shown in Fig. lid to substantially a horizontal position downwardly and forwardly so'that the grids may lltlt are be'deposited on top of same by the conveyor 87. At the front of the stacker curved fingers 102 extend downwardly and forwardly, as

clearly shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 14, these fingers projecting downwardly between the two spaced-apart chains of the conveyor when the stacker is in vertical posltion. The function of these fingers is totemporarily stop the rearward movement of the grid on the conveyor just befo're the grid is deposited by a spring 104 and carried by an. arm 105,

this arm as well as the arms 33, 61 and 96,

shown in Figs. 9, 10 and 11, being mounted upon a cross shaft 106 extending across the top of the machine and supported in standards 107 secured to the side members of the frame, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

The lower end of arm 105 is connected by a link 108 to a double ended lever 109 which,

like the similar lever 98 of the lowerator operating mechanism, is mounted on shaft 58.

I This lever is connected by a link 110 to an arm 111 fixed to the stacker shaft 112 journaled in the side members of the frame near the rear end thereof. 1

By this mechanism the stacker is swung up .and down in predetermined timed relation with the other parts of the machine and in operation it picks up the grids one after the other and swings them back and deposits them on a pair of spaced rails 113 with the lugs at opposite ends of the grids resting upon these rails. Each time the stacker swings up to vertical position shown in-the drawings, the stack of grids on the rails is pushed back slightly. An operator from time to time removes quantities of the grids from the rails or they may be taken therefrom automatical ly for subsequent treatment, as, for example, in a trimming machine.

It will be seen from the above that all parts of the machine, except the conveyor which runs continuously, are cam operated and that the cams are mounted on two shafts 25 and 35, the former carrying the cams 24 which swing the movable mold members back and forth and which control the air and water valves, and shaft 35 carrying the four cams 34, 63, and103, which operate respectively the ladle, the Valve 40 controlling the molten metal, the lowerator, and the stacker.

All the parts of the machine are preferably operated from a single source of power consisting in this instance of a motor 114 (see particularly Fig. 3). The specific gearing herein illustrated is not at all essential for the proper operation of the machine, but in this case the shaft of the motor which is mounted on a base at one end of the frame 10 is provided with a brake wheel 115 to be referred to presently and carries a pinion 116.

Thispinion engages a gear 117 on a countershaft 118 (see Flg. 2), this shaft having also a pinion 119 engaging a gear 120 on a second spring 134.

125 (indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 2) engaging a gear 126 on shaft 25 carrying the cam wheels 24. The shaft 25 is geared to cam shaft 35 by two one-to-one gears 127 as it is desirable that both the shafts 25 and be driven at the same speed. The cam shaft 35, in addition to carrying one of the gears 127 and the four cams previously referred to, drives the conveyor 87 through chain and sprocket gearing indicatedat 128 by dotted lines in Fig. 14. In this figure, the sprocket chain is shown engaged by the roller of a chain tightener 129, and there is shown one of two chain tighteners 130 which engage the chains of the conveyor 87.

A control treadle 131 extends along the front of the machine so that the operator can depress it wheneverit is desired to stop the machine. This treadle, which is shown in elevation in Fig. 2 and in section in Fig. 4. is mounted on a rock shaft 132 shown in Fig. 4, and when it is depressed it opens a switch indicated at 133 at the left-hand side of Fig. 2 by a bell crank lever 134 connected to the treadle as shown in this same figure by a Additionally, the depressing of the treadle tightens the brake band 135 of Fig. 9 around the brake drum 115, this brake band being connected bya link 136 (see Fig. 9) to a bell crank lever 137 which is connected as shown in Fig. 4 to an arm 138. shown in Figs. 1 and 4, attached to rock shaft 132.

It is very essential when the machine is stopped that the valve 40 controlling the molten metal be closed, for, if the machine should be stopped with this valve open, it would be flooded with molten metal. Accordingly, provision is made for causing the closure of this valve and for insuring its closure regardless of the point in the cycle of operations that the machine is stopped as will be explained below. i It will be observed by reference to Fig. 4 particularly that the rock shaft 132 of the treadle has attached to it a lever arm 139 extending across the lower part of the machine and that the free end of this arm is connected by a vertically disposed link 140 to the slide 67 carrying the set screw 64 which in the normal operation of the machine trips the latch 54 thereby causing its disengagement from the abutment 53 and permitting the springs 65 to close the valve 40 with a snap action. It will be understood that in the normal operation the tripping of the latch is efi'ected by lowering the slide 55 carrying the latch sb that the laterally projecting part of the latch will engage the top of the set screw of the normally stationary slide 67. Obviously by the depression of the treadle not only is the power shut off and the machine almost instantly' stopped by the application of the brake, but the slide 67 is moved upwardly causing the setscrew 6t to strike the laterally projecting part of the latch so as to disengage that the machine has a very large ca'pacity.'

Furthermore, it is not only automatic but requires very little attention on the part of the operator, and not only are the grids turnedout more rapidly than from handoperated molds but a great deal of hand labor is dispensed with so that with this machine the cost'of the grids is reduced. Additionally, a very good quality of grids is obtained from the machine, largely because the parts are set to produce the best results, andthe grids are uniform in quality especially because of the close control which can be kept on the temperature and other casting conditions, which is not the case with the product obtained from hand-operated molds.

ln operation, the movable mold members swing back and forth to and from closed position, one mold remaining closed and the other open only for the brief interval required for pouring the metal and in cooling it sutliciently to enable the grid to be ejected, but this interval is not long, for, immediately after the mold 'comes to closed position, the. ladle, which now has a charge of molten metal, tips and the metal runs into the mold. it definite time after the ladle is tipped to pouring position, it is restored to its middle position to receive a predetermined amount of metal, and, immediately after the ladle starts back, a

' charge of Water is squirted onto the pouring gate, and almost immediately afterwards the mold is opened andas soon as it starts to open the pneumatic ejectors are operated and the grid is ejected and drops downward before the movable mold member has moved far from its vertical position.

At or about the time the metal is being poured and the mold is being cooled, the lowerator rises and it starts down so as to lower the grid without injury onto the conveyor beneath shortly after the mold starts to open. After the grid is deposited on the conveyor and is carried by the latter past the lowerator, the latter again rises in time toreceive the grid from the other mold.

Immediately after the ladle isrestored to lts central position andfwhile the-casting is being cooled in the mold to which the metal was last delivered, the'valve controlling the fluld metal is opened to allow a predetermined amount of metal to flow into the ladle, after which the ladle is tilted in the opposite direction. 'lhe stacker also operates in proper timed relation with the other parts so as to received and stack the grids carried rear- Wardly by the conveyor and delivered to it from both molds.

While l have shown the preferred construction and one which operates veryedect ively, l do not desire to be confined to the precise details of construction or arrangements shown but aim in my claims to cover all modifications which do not involve a departure from the spirit'and scope of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, ll claim:

- l. in an automatic casting machine, a pair of adjacent molds including stationary and movable members, means for opening and closing the molds. a ladle supported for tilting movement in opposite directions and serving to deliver molten metal first to one mold and then to the other, and means for delivering a predetermined quantity of molten metal to the ladle after each pouring opera tion.

2. lln an automatic casting machine, a mold composed of movable and stationary memhers, means for supplying molten metal to the mold when closed, and automatic means for delivering intermittently a predetermined, amount of cooling liquid onto the molten metal at the pouring gate of the mold 'lll all

till] to chill the same immediately following the pouring operation.

3. ln an automatic casting machine, a mold composed of movable and stationary mem bers. pneumatically operated eiectors car ried by the mold members, means for opening and closing the mold. and means for automaticallv supplying air to the eiectors While the mold is being opened.

4. ln an automatic casting machine, a mold. a tilting ladle for delivering molten metal thereto when the mold is closed. means including an automatically operated valve for delivering molten metal to the ladle, and means for causing the valve to be forcibly seated with a snap action to cut oil the flow I of metal to the ladle.

forregularly and periodically opening and closing the mold, a ladle, means including an automatically operated spring-pressed valve for causing molten metal to be delivered to the ladle. and means operating in predetermined timed relation with, the mold opening and closing means for operating the valve, said means comprising a latch and means for tripping it to time the valve closure.

6. ln an automatic casting machine, a mold having relatively movable members. means for regularly and periodically opening and closing the mold, a ladle, means including an automatically operated valve for causing molten metal to be delivered to the ladle,

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means operating in predetermined timed relation with the mold opening and closing means for operating the valve, a controlling member adapted to be shifted by the operator to stop the machine, and means associated therewith to insure the closure of the valve regardless of the point in the cycle of opera-.

tion that the machine is stopped.

7. In an automatic casting machine, a mold comprising relatively movable members, means for regularly and periodicallv opening and closing the mold, a conveyor beneath the mold for conveying away the castings produced in the mold, and a lowerator movable between the mold and the conveyor and delivering the castings from the mold to the conveyor.

8. In an automatic casting machine, relativel movable mold members, means for opening and closing the mold, means for delivering molten metal to the mold when closed, a conveyor beneath the mold for receiving and removing the castings produced in the mold, a lowerator movable between the mold and the conveyor for delivering the castings from the former to the latter, and a parallel motion mechanism connected to the lowerator to operate the same.

9. In an automatic casting machine, relatively movable mold members, means for delivering molten metal to the mold when the latter is closed, means comprising a stationary guide beneath the mold, and a positively moving lowerator cooperating with the guide 7 for delivering the castings produced in the.

mold.

10. In an automatic casting machine, relatively movable mold members, means for opening and closing the mold, means for delivering molten metal to the mold when closed, a substantially horizontally movable conveyor below the mold, means by which the castings are delivered without deformation from the mold onto the conveyor comprising an inclined guide, and a positively moving lowerator moving back and forth adjacent the guide from a point adjacent the bottom of the mold to a point below the conveyor.

1 11. In an automatic casting machine. a pair of molds including two upright stationary mold members arranged back to back adjacent each other and two movable mold members adapted -to swing to and from vertical position. each into engagement with one of the stationary mold members, a ladle trunnioned above and centrally between the two stationary mold members, and means for tilting the ladle alternately in opposite directions so as to deliver moltenmetal first to one mold and then to the other.

12. In an automatic casting machine, a pair of molds including two upright stationary mold members arranged back to back adjacent each other and two movable mold members adapted to swing to and from vertical position each into engagement with one of the stationary mold members, a ladle pivotally supported above the molds and tiltable from a mid position in opposite directions to pour molten metal into the molds, and means for automatically delivering molten metal to the ladle when it is in its mid position.

13. In an automatic casting machine, a pair of molds including two upright stationary mold members arranged back to back adjacent each other and two movable mold members adapted to swing to and from vertical position eacn into engagement with one of the stationary mold members, a bar connecting the movable mold members by means of swivel joints, and means connected to the bar to open and close the molds.

14:. In an automatic casing machine, a pair of molds including two upright stationary mold members adjacent each other and two movable mold members adapted to swing to and from vertical position each into engagement with one of the stationary mold members, a conveyor below the molds, and means comprising a lowerator having a platform beneath the molds and movable from a point adjacent the bottom portions of both of. the same down to the conveyor.

15. In an automatic casting machine, a pair of adjacent molds including two upright stationary mold members and two movable mold members each adapted to swing to and from engagement with one of the stationary mold members, a conveyor below the molds, means comprising" a loweratorhaving a platform beneath the molds and movable from a point adjacent the bottom portions of both of the same down below the conveyor, and inclined guides which partly support the castings while they are being lowered by the lowerator from both molds.

16. In an automatic casting machine, a

pair of molds including two upright stationary mold members and two movablennold members each adapted to swing to and from engagement with one of the stationary mold members, a conveyor below the molds, mea is comprising a lowerator having a platform beneath the molds and movable from a point adjacent the bottom portions of both of the same down below the conveyor, and an automatic stacker for receiving the castings from the conveyor. 4 17. In an automatic casting machine, a mold, means foropeningand closing the mold, aladle for delivering molten metal to the mold, a valve for delivering molten metal to the ladle, means comprising a pipe having a valvefor delivering a predetermined amount of a cooling medium onto the mold after the pouring operation, and means for operating in predetermined timed relation the mold opening and closing means, the ladle, the valve controlling the molten metal, and the valve controllingthe cooling medium.

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18. Inan automatic casting machine, a mold comprising relatively movable members, means for opening and closing the mold, a ladle for delivering molten metal to the mold, means comprising a. valve for delivering a predetermined amount of molten metal to the ladle, pneumatic ejectors carried by the mold, an air pipe and an air valve for operating the ejectors. and means for operating in predetermined timed relation the mold opening and closing means, the ladle, the valve for delivering molten metal to the ladle, and the air valve. 7 r

19. ln an automatic grid casting machine,

" a mold comprising a stationary mold memher and a swinging mold member, means for moving the latter to open and close the mold, a ladle above the mold to deliver molten metal thereto. means comprising a valve tor delivering molten metal to the ladle, pneumatic ejectors carried by both parts of the mold, means for delivering a predetermined amount of water onto the mold after the pouring operation including piping and a water valve,

and means for operating in predetermined timed relation the mold opening and closing means, the ladle, the valve for delivering molten metal thereto. and the water valve.

20. In an automatic grid casting machine. a. pair ot molds comprising two upright stationary mold members arranged back to baclr adjacent each other and two movable mold members connected together so as to swing in unison, one to closed position while the other is moving to open position, a tilting ladle arranged above the molds and tiltable trom a mid position in opposite directions to pour molten metal alternately into the two molds when closed, means comprising an automatic valve tor delivering molten metal to the ladle when it is in its mid position, ejectors carriedby both parts of each mold, means for controlling the ejectors, means comprising piping and a pair olf' water valves for delivering water onto the molds to cool the same alter the pouring operations, a corn tinuously moving conveyor below the molds, a lowerator beneath the molds movable up and down between the latter and the conveyor, and means for operating in predetermined.

timed relation the mold opening and closing means, the valve for controlling the flow of molten metal to the ladle, the tilting of the ladle, the water valves, the ejlectors and the lowerator. whereby the grids are cast alternately 1n the two molds and delivered by the lowerator onto the conveyor.

Ql. ln an automatic casting, machine, a pair of adjacent molds including stationary and movable members, means tor simultaneously opening one mold and closing the other and'vice versa, and a ladle supported and operated to tilt first in one direction and then in the other to deliver molten metal first to one mold and then to the other, the movements of said ladle being timed with respect to theopening and closing of the molds.

22. In an automatic casting machine, a pair of molds including two substantially uprightstationary mold members arranged back to-back, two outer swinging mold members each cooperating with one of the stat-ionary mold members, and automatic means for periodically opening one mold and closing the other, said means being adapted to swing said movable molds simultaneously in the same direction.

:23. In an automatic casting machine. a pair of molds including two substantially upright stationary mold members arranged back-to back. two outer swinging mold members each cooperating with one of the stationary mold members, and automatic means tor periodically opening one mold and closing the other, said movable mold members being interconnected to swing simultaneously in the same direction.

-2-l. ln a machine of the class described, a pair of molds including two substantially uprightstationary mold members arranged back to back, two outer swinging mold members each cooperating with one of the stationary mold members, mechanical means for connecting said swinging mold members to gether to move simultaneously one toward.

open and the other toward closed position,

and driving means attached to said connecting means.

25. ln a machine of the class described, a pair of molds including two substantially upright stationary mold members arranged back to back. two outer mold members, spaced parallel pivots upon which said outer members are mounted to swing. each ol said outer members cooperating with one of the stationary mold members, mechanical means for connecting said outer mold members together to more simultaneously one toward open and the other toward closed position, and driving means for said movable members,

26. ln an automatic casting machine, a

pair of molds including two substantially upright stationary mold members and two outer swinging mold members each cooperating with one of the stationary mold members, means connecting the movable mold members together so that they swing simultaneously one toward closed position and the other toward open position and vice versa, and means actuated by a single rotating ele ment for swinging said movable mold members from one position to the other and for exerting additional pressure upon each movable mold member as it reaches closed position.

27. lln an automatic casting machine, a pair of molds including two substantially upright stationary mold members and two outer swinging mold members each cooperatlltl ing pressure on each movable mold member 10 as it reaches closed position, and for holding each mold closed during a predetermined interval.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto affix my signature.

ALFRED R. WILLARD. 

